Biography

Thomas Bush Hardy, RBA (British, 1842-1897)

Thomas Bush Hardy was born in Sheffield, England, and died in London. Primarily a marine artist, most of his paintings depict fishing vessels at sea, in port, and along the Thames river. His medium was usually watercolour, though he also produced oil paintings. Critics are not overly fond of Hardy’s works in oil and the literature suggests that his larger watercolours are somewhat less attractive than small works like this one. Because of his generous use of body colour, many of Hardy’s watercolours have a distinct oil-like quality to them. Another interesting technique that Hardy used was to physically cut the paper at the crests of ocean waves. This accentuates the wave edges and imparts a three dimensional quality to the painting. This technique is evident in “Sail Boats off the Foreland” (Craigdarroch Castle Collection). Hardy’s style is noted for being “distinctive and strong” and his palette was usually very warm. The works were always clearly signed.

It has been stated that Hardy was capable of producing both very good and very bad work. This has been attributed to nagging financial difficulties which allegedly inspired him to set up six to ten easels in a row so he could produce that number of paintings simultaneously. During his lifetime, his better work was much-admired. He was elected a Member of the Royal Society of British Artists in 1884. As a young man, he traveled and painted in Italy, France and Holland. He exhibited at the Royal Academy, Suffolk Street Gallery, and for the New Watercolour Society. Hardy’s works can be found in many public collections including the Victoria and Albert Museum, The National Maritime Museum (Greenwich), the British Museum, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria and Craigdarroch Castle.

Lifetime

1842 – 1897